Camping San Jorge

Huesca lies well within an hour's drive of the Sierra and Canyons de Guara Natural Park and is known for being the gateway to the Pyrenees, so you're really not that far from ski resorts and smashingly spectacular scenery. But before you skip off merrily into the mountains, there are some sights around the city that are well worth a wander to. First off, a trip to Huesca wouldn't be complete without checking out Spain’s oldest grocery store, La Confianza. About 15 minutes' walk from base, this is a special little store that was founded in 1871 and has since somehow managed to keep hold of its truly splendiferous interior; be sure to make a point of looking up at its finely decorated ceiling frescoes, and don't dare depart without going down into the cellar, which promises to pleasantly surprise its guests. Self service here is also thing of the past too – everything you could possibly buy at the store sits on shelves behind the counter, waiting to be handed to you buy the shop's friendly proprietor. Also in Huesca, there's an eclectic museum with exhibits displaying all sorts of artefacts ranging from Neolithic remains to Gothic paintings, panels and lithographs by Goya, as well as the Space 0.42 observatory and its free-entry exhibition centre, planetarium and 4D-simulated space trips, plus four powerful telescopes for peering into infinity (and beyond). Among the many attractions outside of Huesca that are easily reachable by car or bus include Loarre Castle (one of Spain's oldest forts), the town of Piracés and its famed escarpments, and the towering rock verticals of El Reino de los Mallos. Another hugely popular spot outside the city is Hoya de Huesca's wetlands and waterways, particularly La Sotonera and Alboré reservoir. Its place at the foot of the Pyrenees means that it's in prime position for flocks of birds making their yearly pitstop at its shallow waters and thickets during their winter migration, with thousands of ducks and other waterfowl setting up camp there on their way south during winter. The end of wintertime, however, is when this place really comes to life: you'll get to see the thousands of cranes that use La Sotonera and Alboré as a rest stop take to the air in tandem to cross Pyrenees and fly toward their northern European destinations.